Folding shelf



L. B. M EWING Dec. 13, 1932.

FOLDING SHELF Filed June 17, 1951 Patented Dec. 13, 1932 UNITED STAT LUTHER, B. MCEWING, on NEW YORK, N. Y.

. QLD N SHELF Application filed June 17, 1931. Serial No. 545,012.

This invention relates in general to a shelf and particularly to a shelf of the folding or swingable type, which is adapted to be swung to one position when it is desired to use the same and to another position when not in use, the shelf in the latter position being so disposed that it will not be unsightly and Wlll occupy a very small relative space.

In the past, it has been a common practice in homes to place plants in the windows for decorative purposes. In some cases these plants are placed in flower boxes which are supported outside thewindow sill on brackets which are rigidly secured to the material of which the outside of the house is constructed, the window sill not being sufliciently large to accommodate the flower box. The attachment of these brackets, in the case of frame dwellings, is relatively simple, however, in

the case of brick and stone dwellings, the brick or stone must be drilled and expansion bolts or other means used for attaching the brackets. When the flower boxes are put away for the winter, these brackets are usual ly left projecting from the side of the house and are unsightly. In cases where the plants are placed inside the window, the plants are usually supported upon some form of table which is set near the window. These tables take up considerable space, and when not being used for supporting plants are in the way or must be stored.

It is also often desirable to move the plants from one window to another at different times during the dayin order that the plants may receive the benefit of the sunshine entering the windows. When tables are used for supporting the plants, it is considerable trouble and inconvenient to move the table 40 and plants from one window to another.

With the foregoing in view, this invention contemplates the provision of a swingable or folding shelf in connection with the stool or sill of the window, which is adapted for quickly and easily moving into a position of use and non-use, and which, when in a position of non-use, will not take up valuable space and will not be unsightly and mar the appearance of the room.

It is also an object of this invention to provide in a swingable window shelf, novel means for supporting the shelf in a position of use, said means being easily and quickly adjustable to a position to enable movement of the shelf to a position of non-use, in which position the shelf will hide the supporting means from view.

Other objects of this invention will more fully appear from the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawing which illustrates a single embodiment thereof, and in which I Figure 1 is a fragmentary View in elevation of a window frame structure showing a shelf embodying the features of my invention applied thereto,

Figure 2 is a fragmentary plan view showing the shelf in position of use and supporting brackets extending under the shelf and the position of these brackets when folded to enable the shelf to be swung to a position of non-use; and

Figure 3 is a fragmentary end elevation of the window frame structure showing the shelf of my invention in raised position of use, and rigidly supported by bracket means, the relatively folded position of the bracket means and shelf being shown in dotted lines.

As shown on the drawing:

In the illustrated embodiment of my invention, there is shown in Figure 1 a Window frame structure which embraces the usual stool 10 with an apron 11 arranged therebelow at right angles to form the lower trim of the window frame, the stool and apronhaving a molding 12, in the angle formed thereby.

Connected to the outer-edges of the stool 10 is a member 13 which forms a platform or shelf, this shelf being preferably secured at its ends and mid-portion by hinges 14 to the stool. This shelf may be formed of any desirable material such as wood, sheet metal and the like, and the hinges are preferably placed on the lower surface of the stool and shelf so that when the shelf is in raised or extended position the adjacent edges thereof will abut and the upper surfacesof the shelf and stool will be in the same plane.

For supporting the shelf in extended position, there are provided apairof brackets-1'5 having their inner ends connected by hinges 16 in spaced relationship to the apron or lower trim 11 of the window frame structure. While it is contemplated that these brackets may be of any desired shape, it is preferable that they should be so designed as to have a pleasing and ornamental effect. With this in View, I have provided brackets which are enlarged at their hinged ends to form a rela tively large abutment surface which will bear against the apron 11 and lnore securely hold the brackets against displacement towards each other when in the extended position. From this enlarged end each bracket is tapered towards its free end and curved so as to bring the outer end to such a position that it will bear against the lower surface of the shelf 13 and rigidly support the same in position of use.

Referring to Figure 1, it will be observed that when the brackets are disposed in position for supporting the shelf 13 in a position of use, the brackets converge towards their points of engagement with the under surface of the shelf 13. This not only gives a pleasing effect, but also each bracket serves to protect the other bracket against lateral displacement in one direction, thereby making it less easyvfor both brackets to be inadvertently moved to such position as to enable the shelf to assume a position of non-use. When it is desired to swing the shelf to position of non-use, the brackets are swung laterally in opposed direction to positions as shown in dotted lines in Figure 2, wherein they lie against the apron 11. Since the stool 10 projects outwardly of these folded brackets, the shelf 13 may then be dropped to the position shown'in dotted lines in Figure 3, in which position the shelf takes up very little room and also hides the brackets from View. If desired, the shelf may be of any peripheral shape, that is, it may be provided with curved edges which will enhance the decorations in the room when the shelf is in folded position.

Although, for purposes of description, I have chosen to describe my invention as being connected to the stool of the window, where in it. may be used for supporting potted plants, vases and the like, it is also contemplated that the shelf may in like manner'be secured to the window sill so as to be disposed outside of the window, in which position it may be used for supporting flower boxes and the like.

From the foregoing, it will be apparent that my invention provides a no-vel, swingable window shelf which is adapted for quickly and easily moving into a position of use, and which, when not in use, may be folded out of the way so as not to occupy valuable space, and which when folded will not be unsightly and mar the appearance of the room; and which includes supporting brackets for holding the shelf in extended position of use, these brackets being hidden from view when the shelf is moved to position of non-use.

Now, it is of course to be understood that although I have described in detail, the preferred embodiment of my invention, the invention is not to be thus limited but only insofar as defined by the scope and spirit of the appended claims.

I claim, as my invention:

1. A folding shelf for cooperation with a window frame including a stool and an apron therebeneath, said shelf comprising a leaf hinged to the edge of the stool for movement to horizontal and vertical positions, means for rigidly supporting said leaf in the horizontal position, comprising a plurality of foldable brackets hinged to the apron for horizontal swinging movement beneath the shelf into abutting relation at their free ends, the hinged ends of said brackets being spaced apart and including abutment portions engageable with the apron simultaneously with the movement of the free ends of the brackets into abutting relation beneath the leaf and thereby resist further movement of each bracket toward the other to form in effect one rigid brace.

2. A folding shelf for cooperation with a window frame including a stool and an apron therebeneath, said shelf comprising a leaf hinged to the edge of the stool for movement to horizontal and vertical positions, means for rigidly supporting said leaf in the horizontal position, comprising a plurality of foldable brackets hinge-d to the apron for horizontal swinging movement beneath said leaf into abutment with each other at the free ends, for supporting said leaf, the hinged ends of said brackets being enlarged to form a large abutment surface adapted to bear against the apron and prevent displacement toward each other when in abutting relation forming in effect a single rigid bracket adapted to resist horizontal pressure from either side. 1

In testimony whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name at New York, New York County, New York.

LUTHER B. MCEWING. 

